Kevin Breeggemann

A unique visionary and driven craftsman, Kevin Thomas Breeggemann passed away unexpectedly on Friday, August 7, 2015 in Jordan, MN, at the young age of 52.

Kevin’s life will be honored with a time of gathering on Wednesday, August 12 from 4-8 pm at Ballard-Sunder Funeral and Cremation 104 West First Street, Jordan. There will also be a time of gathering starting at 9:30 am prior to the Mass of Christian Burial on Thursday, August 13 at 11 am, at St. John the Baptist Church 313 East Second Street, Jordan. Father Thomas Joseph will preside. Pall bearers will be his brothers, Randy, Fred, Russ and Joel and two best friends, Andres Basquez and Senor Evaristo (Baro) Espitia. Kevin will be laid to rest at St. John’s Calvary Cemetery, Jordan, MN.

It was on March 9, 1963 at St. Francis Hospital in Shakopee, MN, that Robert “Bob” and Deloris “Dellie” (Hames) Breeggemann held in their arms a precious boy, they named Kevin. The middle child of five, he grew up in rural Jordan on the family farm with his four brothers. As a young boy, Kevin became an individual who seen into all the different levels of a vision and beyond. At the age of 7, he was already designing homes by sketching them on paper for people to use in their blue prints. By the age of 12, this creative talent truly came to the fore front. Unbeknown to Kevin, this gift, this vision and this craft was his pillars in his own blue print in life.

Kevin approached the experiences of life with an eye for detail and a willingness to be self-taught. He loved everything he did, for it was never work. As a young boy, Kevin became an expert in planting and nurturing trees. He starting bagging groceries at Radermacher’s Market and after graduating from Jordan High School in 1981, he then moved into managing one of their stores in Prior Lake. At the same time, also being part owner of a limousine service. Wanting to expand his horizons, Kevin later bought his own grocery store in New Prague, where he eventually opened up a bakery and meat market just down the street. Serving customers by day and preparing the food by night. Needing to explore more in life, Kevin was very instrumental in bringing life back, by refurbishing two of Jordan’s historic buildings, the Nicolin Inn Bed and Breakfast and the Jordan Brewery. All while he was working full time building mansions and renovating homes in the Twin Cities area. Over the last years, Kevin’s passion was revitalizing and creating a new vision for the Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard. There was always projects in the works and more ideas coming forth each day.

The mind of Kevin was always working; drawing up new plans and ideas, buying and fixing up historic homes, building furniture and painting pictures. In his free time, he enjoyed collecting antique cars, tractors and furniture. Kevin enjoyed all types of animals and in recent years was able to share this love with others at the apple orchard zoo.

Kevin was Kevin and always marched to a different drum. He saw into things and was excited to try something new. A remarkable and driven personality, Kevin’s days were always full with new adventures. He accomplished a lot in his short life and when things got tough, Kevin would quote one of his famous lines, “you just do it.” Our hearts are sadden by your passing, but we will love you to the moon and back each and every day!!

We have know Kevin since he got involved with Minnesota Harvest Apple Orchard. His uplifting spirit and visionary outlook has truly been a blessing in everything he touched! We will sadly miss him! No more worries or tension, he is now with God!

I have such an empty feeling right now. But I also have so many fond memories of Kevin. The one I will never forget is the fishing trip in Manitoba that we took. I have those memories of him forever. My prayers are with his family.

Our family would like to send our deepest condolences and sympathy. He was a beautiful person inside and out. Every once in while in life we are blessed with the opportunity to have a talented, caring, and all around wonderful individual in our lives. For however long or brief that opportunity is that person shares with you a light that never fades and always stays in your mind. Our family was extremely blessed to have known and worked with Kevin. He was one of a kind and always made your day better with his smile, kindness, or ambition. The world may have lost him physically but heaven and his family gained one amazing Angel. With all our love, The Foster family

I’m so sorry for your loss… Kevin was a great man who was always smiling and had such a positive attitude…. I will miss saying hi to him and our small talk we had when he came into Lowes… My prays are with you and your family…

My deepest sympathy. Heaven gained an all around great guy. His talent, big heart, great sense of humor and care for everyone in his life was overwhelming. He will be dearly missed by so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

I am so terribly sorry for your loss! Kevin was always one of the best parts of working at Lowe’s. Very good at his job, helpful, & fun. I am sure God was so happy with him that it was time to call him home. I wish you the best during this difficult time.

Words cannot even begin to express what an amazing person Kevin is and how much he will be missed by so many people. I have always admired him in so many ways, his hard work, his wonderful and positive attitude all of the time and how he was such a genuinely kind person to all. God needs the best angels up there and that he got. My deepest thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to his family and all of his loved ones.

Fred, Randy & Family…I am so very sorry for your loss. Please know that my prayers are with you, and the family at this time of your loss. Just remember that Kevin is looking down from heaven and will be with you every day from now on!! God Bless.

I just worked with him, and his awesome crew, at my nieces wedding, July 25th! I am devestated by his death! What an unbelievably talented, beautiful, and creative man he was! I can’t imagine the loss his family feels! This world was soooooo much more beautiful, with him in it!!!!!!!

My husband John and I met Kevin 14 years ago during our first construction project. Since then he’s built our house and our cabin. Not only is he our builder but he’s also a very close friend. His last project was our Cabin and we just saw him 2 days prior to his passing. Kevin had so many talents personally and professionally. Its taken me 3 days to say his name without tearing up. Kevin greeted me everyday with a positive attitude and he always had time to talk to you no matter how busy he was. He had the gift of making you feel special. Kevin loved a remodel. It was his choice to make something more special than it was before and he was so good at it. He was not always on schelude but what he created was definitely worth the wait. Kevin we will see you in Heaven and I know you’ll be waiting for your all your wonderful family and friends. We miss you so much, Karen Ruth

I am just devestated to hear of Kevin’s passing! I had the privilege of working with him, and his awesome crew, for my nieces wedding, July 25th! I have never met anyone with his passion, and drive! His vision, was something I was in awe of! Heaven truly, will be a more creative place with him!

We are saddened by this news. We met Kevin during the planning and preparation of our son’s wedding, we had an immediate connection. His vision & passion for the Orchard was amazing. There were no details left untouched. His smile, laughter and compassion were contagious. We are praying for peace & comfort for Kevin’s family during this difficult time.

i am sorry for your loss, i enjoyed when kevin would come into lowes and we would talk about our love for animals. kevin will be missed by alot of people. my thoughts and prayers are with you at the sad time.

I am shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of Kevin. He was always a friendly, down-to-earth guy who made the people around him feel special. He’s touched many lives with his generous ways and skillful labors. My heart goes out to his family.

Dear Breeggemann Family, We were very sad to learn of Kevin’s passing. He was a fantastic guy. He designed and built the house we live in and subsequently became a treasured friend. It was never possible to not share a smile and conversation with Kevin. We enjoyed his talent, dedication and endless spirit. He didn’t burn the candle at both ends-he burned the sides too! He loved life, loved his work, loved his friends and family and everyone he met. He will be missed by many and remembered fondly by more. He touched a lot of lives. May his memory live on in all of our hearts forever. Our thoughts are with all of you at this sad and difficult time. Dave and Carrie Helgeson

Dear Joel and Family, My heart breaks for you. I only knew your brother from what you had spoken and he sounded like a delightful person. Please know your are constantly being thought of from Texas and my prayers going out to you and your family. Hugs

I was very shocked of the loss of kevin, i will miss seeing him when he comes into Lowe’s to get his things for his next project and getting him hot Apple cider In the winter…..it was an honor to have known him, he will be truely missed, I will never forget the wave that he always gave you when he was in the store. My thoughts n prayers go out to his family, may god bring peace for all…

So sorry for the loss that Kevin’s family and friends are suffering through. I’ve only known Kevin for 3 or 4 weeks and found him to be everything that everyone says he was: Energetic, creative, dedicated, positive, artistic, resourceful, historically correct, fun, meticulous, detailed, exciting, and so much more. I got to know him very well in but a short time as he was involved in restoring the National Register Victorian home next to our place in Carver in the three times he stopped by our house to show me what he was working on, to look at similarities in our house, and to show me his plans as they progressed. Without a doubt if he lived long enough to bring to fruition the plans he had envisioned on his final project his work would have earned Carver’s Preservation of the Year Award. Already I very much miss him, and the town of Carver will never know what they lost in his passing….for already he had an eye to restoring more….

My sincere sympathy to the family of such a generous man. I met Kevin this spring when he – within minutes of my request – brought a crew to Jordan Elementary School to prune our 3 apple trees. Then he returned in May to plant a fourth tree to the delight of many grateful students! He will be missed but never forgotten!

I am keeping your family in my thoughts and prayers. I visit Dellie and bring her Holy Communion on Sundays. Dellie has told me about Kevin during my visits. He was such a blessing to his mother, Dellie. You could tell how she talked about him and all of her children, how she is so proud of them and thankful for them.

Our family became intertwined with the Breeggemann family 7 years ago when our daughter married Kevin’s nephew, Mike. Although we didn’t have the opportunity to know Kevin well, we have seen the love that this family shares with each other. Dellie is a warm and caring mother and grandmother who we’ve had the pleasure to spend time with. The love and pride she has for her family is easy to see and our hearts go out to Dellie and her family. Our love and prayers to the Breeggemann family.

I worked with Kevin at the Orchard. It was an honor to work with him and know him. He gives new meaning to work ethic and vision. What a great man. Heaven is a better place because of him. My condolences to everyone that loved him. Kevin, you will be greatly missed!

My sincerest condolences on the loss of your brother, son, uncle, and friend. What a tragedy to lose someone, but particularly so young and unexpected. Rely on your family and friends during this sad time, but cherish the fond memories-which, reading this beautiful obituary, sounds like there are many.

I was the District Manager at Lowe’s based out of Shakopee from 2008 to 2011 and got to know Kevin as he was in the store 2-3 times per week buying and ordering building supplies. We became good friends and I always enjoyed sharing a cup of coffee and stories with him at the Contractor Desk. His craftsmanship and vision were unique to Kevin…..there was no other custom home builder or business remodeler that I worked with in 17 years at Lowe’s that even came close to his skills. I remember visiting the Lakeside Supper Club in Montgomery after Kevin’s remodeling work there and I was just astounded by what I saw.

Kevin knew what he wanted and how he wanted to get it done. He was a tough customer when it came to quality and price, but he was always fair, respectful, and candid. If every contractor I dealt with had as much integrity as Kevin did my job would have been easy.

My condolences to the Breeggemann family, friends, and all of the people who worked for him and with him.

Deepest condolences to the Breeggemann family. I didn’t know Kevin well, but when we went to the Apple Orchard we met and had a great time with the grandkids. He accomplished so much, and had a rich, full life!

I was so saddened to hear of Kevin’s passing. He had such a passion for life and we shared a deep love of history. He will be greatly missed. Please accept my deep felt condolence for your loss. Sincerely, Kathy Klehr (Scott County Historical Society)

Today, I called the orchard to talk to Kevin and I was so saddened to learn of Kevin’s passing. While I did not know him very well, I knew him enough to know what a great man he was! He was so kind and full of life and helpful. You could tell he put everything into his great works, such a kind, gentle generous soul. Heaven has gained an amazing angel. He will be greatly missed! My heart, thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, I know you feel the void but may you find comfort in all your memories together. God bless.

So sorry to hear of Kevin’s passing. I didn’t know him well but I have thought of him often since we met in February. He was helping my fiancé & I plan our wedding at the Orchard. He gave us a tour of the orchard & his passion for the business & art were evident. Kevin spent extra time with us that day because I think he could tell I needed more time. He took pictures of us in front of the beautiful fire place. It was our first pictures as an engaged couple! I could tell that he loved what he did & we decided on the spot to book our ceremony site. We ran into many bumps along the way and Kevin was always kind and understanding. Every time I look at those photos I’ve remembered Kevin’s kindness to us that day. I am so sad he won’t be there for our wedding in October but I’m sure he will be watching. Kevin was a kind soul & I hope his family is able to take comfort in their happy memories.

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